Joseph Cole

221

D Wong on 9th August 2014

Joseph Cole was 28 on arrival in WA. He was single, semi literate, protestant, 5’11” tall, dark brown hair, light hazel eyes, fair complexion, slight build. 10/7/1867 The Enquirer and Commercial News, Perth: Johanna Foley formerly Purcell, was charged with bigamy. The information stated that the prisoner was lawfully married to Jeremiah Foley, on the 29th April, 1865, and that on the 18th April, 1867, Foley being still alive, she married another named Joseph Cole, at the Weslyan Chapel, Perth, under false representations. The prisoner pleaded guilty, urging that she had received her first husband (Foley's)consent to again marry; and that she thought there was no harm in it, since she and Foley had lived apart for two years before. Sentence - 12 months imprisonment. – No children found. 21/7/1876 The Western Australia Times Perth: On Sunday last about 11-30 a.m., when Mr. C. S. Monger of this town was quietly walking home from a friend’s house he was set upon by a man named Joseph Cole, who, armed with an axe ran at him in a threatening manner. Mr. Monger had barely time to turn and run for his life. He succeeded in reaching the place whence he started when fortunately the man went away. The Police were sent for, and after a long delay and an exciting chase succeeded in capturing Cole, and took him to the lockup. The case came on for hearing this day Wednesday when the " Bench"committed " Cole" for trial at the ensuing Criminal Sessions. 10/10/1876 The Western Australia Times, Perth: Assault. Joseph Cole was indicted for unlawfully assaulting Mr. Charles S. Monger, at Newcastle, on the 16th July last. The prisoner, who, it appears, is subject to epileptic fits, attempted a most unprovoked and unaccountable attack upon the prosecutor, by rushing after him with an axe. Mr.Monger only escaped with his life by running as fast as he could towards home. It was suggested that the assault was the result of an uncontrollable impulse induced by an epileptic attack, for it did not appear there was any conceivable reason why the assault should have been committed. When arrested, he had a pitchfork in his hand, and threatened the police if they came near he would run it through them. A constable threw a stone at him and he ran away, and rushed into Mr. D. Connor's house, where, after some trouble, he was arrested. He was very mild in his manner, but talked rationally on his way to the lockup. While confined there, his conduct was most extraordinary; some days he would eat his food, other days he would not taste it at all. The prisoner expressed his sorrow for his conduct, and threw himself upon the merciful consideration of the Court. The jury found him guilty of the charge, but strongly recommended him to mercy. His Honor said the recommendation would no doubt have the careful consideration of the Executive, and the Colonial Surgeon would be asked to report upon the prisoner's state of mind. The sentence of the Court was that he be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for six calendar months. 5/10/1877 The Western Australia Times, Perth: HOUSEBREAKING, JOSEPH COLE was arraigned on a charge of having feloniously broken into the dwelling house of the Rev. Canon Martelli, at Newcastle, on the 29th July last, and stealing therein £2 in money and sundry articles o of value. On a second count the prisoner was charged with receiving the stolen goods, knowing them to have been stolen. The prisoner was not defended by counsel. The Rev. Canon Martelli, the prosecutor, said he left his residence about nine o'clock in the morning of the 29th July on a visit to Wicklow Hill. On his return in the' afternoon, he found the bedroom window had been opened and the curtain removed. On entering the room, he found that the drawer in his dressing table had been forced open and the following articles abstracted :-a tinbox containing a cheque for £2 6s. and ,some small change; a small silver box, and some silver vessels used in the administration of the sacraments of baptism and extreme unction; a number of religious medals, and a metal cross. Mrs. Chipper, landlady of King's Head inn, York, said the prisoner gave her the cheque produced-drawn in favor of Canon Martelli by Bishop Salvado-in payment for some liquor. The witness, believing it to have been stolen, gave the prisoner in charge. Sergeant Waldock said he found the cheque in question on the prisoner, when he was searched at the police station. He said he had picked it up in the street. A small metal cross-part of the stolen property was also found on him. The jury, after half an hour's deliberation, convicted the prisoner, who was sentenced to 6 year's penal servitude. 16/8/1896: Joseph Cole, aged 63 years, senile decay at the Mt. Eliza Depot. 1897: Johannah Foley married John Michael Carroll of Irishtown.

40

Dorothy James on 4th August 2014

Huntingdon Gaol Calendar 08/03/1852.